MADISON, Wisc., April 12, 2024 – U.S. Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small visited University of Wisconsin – Madison on Friday, April 12, to highlight the department’s ongoing support for agricultural research and education at UW-Madison and met with students to discuss potential career opportunities available for the next generation of farmers, foresters, conservationists, and entrepreneurs.
The Deputy’s visit included a tour of the D.C. Smith Greenhouse, and meetings with UW-Madison leadership and student groups.
“Thanks to historic funding secured by President Biden, USDA is creating new opportunities for the next generation of farmers, foresters, researchers, and entrepreneurs in Wisconsin,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “These investments will bring economic opportunity back to rural communities, better position students to build a more resilient food system and give them the chance to succeed in the communities they love.”
During her college tour, Deputy Secretary Torres Small will visit campuses across the country to underscore how colleges and universities are working with USDA to advance rural prosperity, climate-smart practices, competition, and sustainability. Deputy Secretary Torres small will also highlight how USDA is making a difference on college campuses, from new funding for education and training to cutting edge research to economic development to build a food and agriculture food system. The Deputy’s College Tour will include visits to Land-grant Universities, 1980s Land-grant Colleges and Universities, 1994 Institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, community colleges, and state schools.
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provided more than $5 billion in support to land-grant university campuses since fiscal year 2021, offering student-centered scholarships to recruit, mentor, and train undergraduate students for jobs in food and agricultural sciences and related fields. NIFA has invested over $105 million at UW-Madison during the Biden-Harris Administration. $60.59 million has been awarded competitively, with $44.79 million being capacity funding. Highlighted projects include:
- Returning To Our Roots: Rebuilding Native Farming Traditions and Food Sovereignty For Great Lakes Indigenous People – ($10M; FY23): This project uses a partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council, Menominee Nation, and the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition to scale up contemporary climate-smart Indigenous food systems that align with cultural values, restore community health and well-being, and foster economic development.
- Biobased, fully soil-biodegradable mulch films prepared from biomass for sustainable bioeconomy- ($1M; FY23): This integrated research-extension project will develop 100% biobased and fully soil-biodegradable mulch films from low-cost and renewable biomass (e.g., poplar wood, forest residues, sawdust) through a facile process of dissolution and regeneration. Techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment will be conducted to quantify the economic feasibility and potential environmental impact of the proposed films for mulch applications compared with conventional polyethylene films. Successful completion of the project will provide a fully biobased and soil-biodegradable mulch film to replace plastic ones, which will benefit agriculture, the environment, and the bioeconomy.
USDA’s Rural Development (RD) is one of several agencies under the USDA umbrella working to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America and across Wisconsin. To date, Wisconsin RD has invested over $1.5 billion since 2021 to support rural housing, infrastructure, and business development in communities across the state.
“Our programs help position rural communities to compete in a global economy and open opportunities for the workforce of tomorrow,” said Julie Lassa USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director. “USDA’s investments in Wisconsin are reaching communities in every corner of the state, including those that have too often been left behind. These investments will help bring more housing, improved infrastructure, and increase business development that spurs economic opportunity and builds rural prosperity.”
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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